Having a baby is a life-changing experience. It’s also very costly. Fortunately, using well-known baby registry sites lets loved ones buy the items you need and helps you save money.
You can include low-priced products, like onesies and bibs, or expensive items, such as a crib or car seat.
Whether or not you have a baby shower, it’s wise to start an online registry so that people know what to buy for your little one.
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Where Is the Best Place to Make a Baby Registry?
There are many options when it comes to creating a baby registry. Which one you pick will largely depend on what you need for your newborn.
Each site has its own specialty and may work with specific brands. You can create lists at multiple places. Better yet, you may also receive coupons and free baby stuff from many retailers.
Here are the best sites to create a baby registry.
1. Amazon
Amazon offers the world’s largest selection of items. In addition to books and electronics, you can find plenty of stuff for your newborn.
As a result, Amazon is one of the best baby registry services.
How It Works
You can create an Amazon Baby Registry online and receive a free welcome box containing items worth up to $35.
Some of the products you receive for your little bundle of joy include:
- A baby blanket
- Bottles
- Diapers and wipes
After opening your registry, you can start adding items from Amazon to your wish list. There is also a universal registry site that lets you add items from other stores using Amazon Assistant.
One downside of using Amazon is that your friends cannot inspect gifts in person. Sometimes, finding the perfect gift requires going to a local store to compare options.
Perks
There are several advantages when using Amazon for your baby registry list.
You will receive a 15 percent discount on eligible items if you are an Amazon Prime member and set up your registry. If you don’t belong to Prime, you receive a ten percent discount.
Amazon also allows group gifting for pricey items like cribs, car seats, or changing tables. This allows multiple people to contribute to one gift.
Not all baby registry programs offer this feature. It is helpful for gift buyers who want to pool together to purchase a more expensive item.
Exchanges And Returns
Amazon has a 365-day return policy for most baby registry items. Any product that you buy as the registry owner qualifies for 90 days of free returns.
In contrast, Amazon has a 30-day return policy for regular purchases. Free shipping is available for all qualifying returns.
This flexible return policy is nice since you may not know which gifts you will use until your baby gets older.
When you make a return, you will receive Amazon credit to use for future purchases.
2. MyRegistry.com
MyRegistry.com is a universal baby registry site. While it doesn’t have a store, it’s still a fantastic resource.
This is one of the best websites for a baby registry since you can link registries from different stores. The site has been in business since 2005.
Your loved ones can even donate to a cash gift fund that you can use for your child’s future expenses.
How It Works
The first step to creating your registry is signing up with your email or Facebook account.
You can add items from any store to your registry, regardless of if they have a website or not. For example, you can register with Amazon and Target as well as a local baby boutique store.
As you build your registry on the store website, you may receive multiple welcome gifts. The site compiles all of your registries in one place to make shopping easier for your friends and family.
When starting a registry on the platform, you download an “add to my registry” button that goes in the toolbar of your web browser.
If you visit an online store and see an item you like, you simply click on the button to add the item to your registry.
But what happens if you see an item you like at a local store? Just scan the barcode of the item with the MyRegistry app to add it to your registry.
This platform is a good option if you’re registering for your baby on multiple sites. However, this method may take longer than if you made one list with a single store.
The service also offers checklists that can recommend various products that you need for parenthood. For example, one can easily overlook baby thermometers or a nasal aspirator.
Perks
MyRegistry can be useful since your friends can see your various registries in one place. The site syncs the lists so that you don’t get duplicate gifts for your bundle of joy.
You can request cash for a college fund or to buy your own items.
The platform is also one of the best wedding registry sites for those wanting gifts for their big day.
While MyRegistry won’t send you exclusive discounts, the stores you register with might. Many stores offer discounts for the first year of your baby’s life.
Additionally, online shoppers enjoy the convenience of multiple registries in one place for free. However, a small fee applies to cash gifts.
Exchanges And Returns
The exchange and returns policy will differ between each store. The best baby registry websites offer returns for up to one year after your baby’s due date.
3. Target
If you love to shop at Target, creating a Target Baby Registry is an excellent option. This retail giant carries a wide selection of baby brands, including Johnson’s, Huggies, and Fisher-Price.
You can receive a free $100 welcome kit when you create your registry. This provides free samples and coupons for you to use if you want to try something before purchasing it.
How It Works
It’s easy to build your registry on Target’s website. If you prefer to create your registry while you’re in a local store, you can scan barcodes using their mobile app.
Like other registry sites, you can add baby items from Target and use the universal registry tool to include items from other stores.
Your loved ones can buy items online or at a brick-and-mortar location. For in-store purchases, they will need to go into the registry and mark the item as purchased.
Target automatically updates the list for online purchases when someone shops through your registry link.
Perks
Like Amazon, Target has group gifting so that your friends can split purchases. It’s possible to customize your registry page to keep track of who gave what and if you’ve thanked them.
You receive a free welcome kit when you create a registry. This kit has over $100 in coupons and samples. It can be picked up at any Target guest service location.
The retailer will also send you exclusive coupons for one year when you join Target Circle.
If items are left on your list eight weeks before your baby’s expected due date, you can receive a 15 percent completion discount to help minimize the financial burden.
Exchanges And Returns
Target gives you an entire year to exchange or return registry items.
If a baby gift item doesn’t fit or you want to exchange it, you can return the item at a nearby store.
According to the Target website, there are over 1,800 locations across the country.
4. Walmart
Walmart is an affordable place to shop for groceries, clothes, and household items. It also offers many products for your newborn.
There are over 4,500 Walmart locations. This makes it easy for gift-givers to shop locally or online.
How It Works
You can start your registry online or with the Walmart app. Like other mobile apps, you can scan barcodes when making your registry at your local store.
There’s also a virtual assistant tool that recommends products you may like.
Unlike other registry sites, Walmart doesn’t offer group gifting or a universal registry tool. Unfortunately, there also doesn’t appear to be a discount for the remaining items on your registry.
Thankfully, you’ll find almost everything you need since Walmart has an extensive product catalog.
Perks
Walmart provides you with a free welcome box worth up to $40 when you set up a baby registry. You can receive this welcome box in the mail. It’s also possible to find other Walmart discounts.
Moms may also have the opportunity to receive a postpartum care box during the third trimester. This gift includes samples to help them recuperate.
The Walmart website has different options for cheap baby shower ideas, including invitations and thank-you cards.
Guests can even leave personal messages with their gifts. These are a nice touch while you’re opening items.
If someone wants to ship you something from your list, Walmart offers free shipping on orders over $35.
It’s possible for friends to buy online and pick it up in person. For an extra fee, Walmart can even send a professional to assemble your items.
Exchanges And Returns
If you need to make a return, Walmart has a one-year return policy for most eligible purchases.
In true Walmart fashion, there is also price-matching to make sure you and your baby shower guests get the most bang for your buck.
You can get a Walmart gift card when there’s a price difference.
5. Babylist
Babylist is similar to MyRegistry because it lets you add items from multiple stores in one place. Unlike its competitor, you can shop directly from Babylist to find most baby gear.
This service is free to use. When you make a minimum $10 purchase through the Babylist online store, you’ll receive a free Hello Baby Box kit with baby samples.
How It Works
You can create a list using the online website or mobile app by browsing the Babylist online store. While Babylist doesn’t sell items, they partner with many online merchants.
It’s possible to buy from multiple sellers and make one purchase.
Babylist lets you add items from other stores. If you want to support indie shops or small merchants, it’s easy to do so with Babylist.
Your friends can split large purchases as well. Plus, you can also request cash gifts or services.
One downside of Babylist is that you must spend $45 for free shipping. Friends and family purchasing small gifts could be better off shopping locally.
Perks
You’ll receive a 15 percent completion discount on any items left on your registry 60 days before your baby’s expected arrival day.
This discount only applies to items that Babylist sells, not products from other stores.
You will see a link displayed on your registry that will help you apply the discount to anything left on your list that you may want to purchase.
It’s possible to use the discount up to six months after your child’s due date.
You can even request favors from friends and family. This can be useful if you need help cooking meals, running errands, or walking your dog while you adjust to life with your baby.
Most stores only let you request merchandise and store gift cards, so this feature is unique.
As an added perk, you can crowdsource a college fund for your child. Friends and family can contribute any amount they want using a debit or credit card.
Not many sites make it easy for friends to offer cash gifts.
Exchanges And Returns
You have nine months to return items that are unopened and in the original packaging. This return policy applies to items on your registry and other products you buy from the Babylist store.
Keep in mind that you need to follow the return guidelines of the other store for outside items on your registry.
6. Buybuy BABY
Buybuy BABY is one of the best sites for a baby registry as they specialize in baby and nursery items. You might appreciate their exclusive brands that online retailers don’t offer.
The company does give you a goody bag containing coupons and free formula samples for your baby. However, you must pick it up from a physical store.
According to their website, buybuy BABY has stores in 38 states.
*Related: Want to save money on cosmetics? Check out our guide on ways to get free makeup samples by mail to score deals.*
How It Works
You can create your registry online or via the mobile app. It’s possible to add items manually.
There’s also a registry checklist to ensure you don’t forget any items.
Your friends and family can recommend products to add to your list. An in-store expert can even help you make a baby registry and suggest items like the best blankets.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a group gifting or universal registry option.
While the buybuy BABY registry program isn’t as robust as Amazon or Target, the benefits of a physical branch make them worth considering.
Perks
Buybuy BABY has one of the most interactive baby registry programs. Friends can suggest products, and you can schedule an in-store consultation with an expert to create your list.
There’s also a baby registry analyzer that makes sure your registry has a variety of prices so friends will be more likely to buy what you need.
Like other stores, you can get ideas from premade checklists.
For items that don’t sell, you can receive 15 percent off as a discount to purchase the remaining items on your registry.
The baby store has a referral program that offers $25 off a purchase of $100 or more for anyone who successfully refers someone to register with buybuy BABY.
Other features of buybuy BABY’s Baby Registry include:
- A welcome gift worth $35
- Exclusive discounts and offers
- Thank you lists
- Free shipping for your baby’s first year when the value of gifts purchased from your registry exceeds $1,500
Exchanges And Returns
You have up to 365 days to return most new items from your baby registry. Used items have up to 90 days to return per the standard return policy.
You can exchange your items online or in-store to receive merchandise credit.
7. The Tot
The Tot is a site that has strict chemical and ingredient safety standards. Each item that you place on your registry passes “The Tot Test.”
This means that items have minimal toxic ingredients that many mass-produced products include.
You may appreciate this resource to give your baby a safe start to life. You may also use this platform to choose items that your baby has extended contact with, like onesies, blankets, or a pacifier.
It’s also possible to join the online loyalty program for discount perks and exclusive offers.
How It Works
You can choose from a curated Starter Registry that can be easier to personalize for your specific needs. Some of the options include newborn essentials and a modern baby on a budget.
The platform can also make recommendations for these products:
- Carseats, stroller, and gear
- Clothing
- Feeding
- Home
- Maternity
- Personal care
You can call a registry specialist to help build your product listings.
It’s possible to buy products online. There doesn’t appear to be a group gifting option.
Additionally, there isn’t a universal registry feature since that might recommend products that don’t satisfy the quality standards.
Perks
The best reason to use this baby registry program is to focus on health-conscious brands that are reputable and high-quality.
Your friends and family can also buy gift cards to The Tot Store so that you can purchase clothing and accessories as you need them.
This flexibility is nice as it’s difficult to know everything you need before your baby arrives.
There is also a 15 percent completion discount on all non-gifted items.
Exchanges And Returns
The return window for registry items is 90 days from the baby’s due date. Typically, most stores only offer returns within 60 days.
Free return shipping is available for eligible items in the United States.
Bottom Line
You have plenty of options for choosing an online baby registry for your newborn. Find one or more that works for your needs, then let people know where you’re registered.
Regardless of if you have a baby shower, you should create a registry. It’s free, you’ll receive discounts and goodie boxes, and loved ones likely want to buy stuff for your baby.
A registry is a great way to save money. Any of the options listed above can help you cut costs.
What are some other things you do to save money with a newborn?
Choncé is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), personal finance freelance writer, and blogger who focuses on helping others manage their money better in order to live a life with more possibilities and fewer limitations. Her work has been featured on Business Insider, LendingTree, Credit Sesame, and Barclaycard.
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